Softbank to give away iPhones

Japanese consumers to be tempted with handsets for free


27 February 2009 11:28 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Softbank, the exclusive mobile phone operator for Apple's iPhone in Japan, is to start giving away the touchscreen phones for free.

Amid muttered suggestions of poor sales in a highly sophisticated phone market, Softbank will now offer the 8GB iPhone 3G for free on a 2-year contract. The company was charging 23,040 yen - around £166.

The 16GB model will still demand a premium - but this has been reduced from £249 to £83. In addition, the monthly charge for internet access via the handset has been reduced.

O2, the official iPhone operator in the UK, revealed this week that total sales for the iPhone in the UK - both the original and 3G version - have only just hit the 1million mark in over 16 months of sales.
Related
Full tags
Phones, Softbank, iPhone, Apple, Tariffs

share print story pdf email story

Recommended articles

Recommended articles from around the web
Loading

Best iPad 2 apps

We detail the best iPad 2 and iPad apps in the app store Which iPad app should you download?

Best new iPad apps

We detail the best iPad apps in the app store for your new Retina Display Which iPad app should you download?

Windows 8

First Look: Windows 8 Consumer Preview reviewed

The new iPad

The new iPad: Everything you need to know

Pocket-lint poll

Q. Does the Samsung Galaxy S III deliver what you hoped for?

Vote YES Vote NO

» LAST TIME
When asked Would you switch from iOS to Android? 54% said yes and 46% said no